In the tradition of the Cowboy and the ranches of the west there is no higher compliment than being christened the top hand. All Cowboys worth their salt strive to be worthy of such a title. It is not a title given lightly nor one that is awarded to a man that hasn’t put in their time. It is a title of honor and respect. While the Cowboy needed to be a man of many skills, including some of the dirtier ground crew work, the highest skill of the Cowboy and the one most respected was the horseman. In all the skills the Top Hand had mastered, it was his skill as horseman that most earned him the title.

In Cowboy Dressage we honor the tradition of the Cowboy and the lifestyle of the West while building partnership and harmony with our horses. We believe that in order to create the ultimate horse we have to be the ultimate partner for that horse. By working to improve communication with the horse through soft feel we aim to create the perfect working partner that is soft and willing and capable and able to take on any job on the ranch or in the arena.

Creating that partnership and relationship with a horse requires a rider that is dedicated to the goal of soft feel. While it takes time to develop true partnership in a horse, a rider that embodies soft feel can cultivate partnership in any horse that he mounts. A true horseman can quickly adapt to communicate with each horse that he comes into contact with. You might say the rider that has embraced the principles of soft feel and partnership in Cowboy Dressage is worthy of being called a Top Hand.

As we in Cowboy Dressage honor the Cowboy we also honor the horseman and no skill in the horseman is as highly valued in Cowboy Dressage as the skill of soft feel and partnership. Do you think you have what it takes to be a Top Hand? Cowboy Dressage World is poised to give you the opportunity to find out.

While the end goal of Cowboy Dressage is not the competition we feel that it is right and fitting to honor the Top Hands out there that have dedicated the time and energy to become worthy of the title. Though we no longer have the ability to prove our worth while riding for the brand each season, we can get together to showcase and honor the work we have done with our horses and recognize the men and women that have made themselves worthy of being deemed Top Hand.

If rider has more than one horse in Top Five, then highest scoring horse must be ridden.

All Cowboy Dressage World Rules will apply. Rules and Guidelines if there is a conflict in Rule Verbiage – these Rules take precedence.

Part one of the Top Five Competition will be ridden on qualifying horse. All riders are aware that the Top 5 Competitors will be required to switch horses for second ride of Top Five Competition on Sunday a.m. The switch will be determined by a draw. A mystery test will be ridden twice: Once on the competitor’s qualifying horse and then once on the draw/switch horse. A combined score of both tests will determine the winner. The preliminary test score is not calculated towards championship.

A separate Release of Liability must be signed for Top Hand Competition.

If you are showing in both the Gathering and Finals, as well as Top Hand, a separate entry form will be required. However, only a one-time fee is required for stall/tack and drug fee.

Wranglers are allowed for Top Five Horses. Wrangler stays with horse during switch for riders and must sign the release form.

For switch rides, rider may change saddle but not bridle.

Wrangler may offer water to horse if needed.

All Top Hand Competition Tests will have only maneuvers or combination of maneuvers already required in our approved tests.

Substitutions of a horse and/ or rider is allowed ($100 substitution fee) up until Friday, October 12th at 5:00 a.m. with veterinary excuse or approval by CDW Partners. Refunds only before entry closing date with written veterinary or Doctor’s excuse. No refunds after entry closing date.

On Saturday, October 13th all Top Hand riders may not use the court for warm up before competition. Any familiarization to arena must be done in arena outside the court itself.

All riders must supply a photo of themselves and their horse with a short Shirt size is a must too. Entry will not be considered complete without these. Send photo, shirt size and bio to Debbie Beth-Halachmy at: eitanndeb@gmail.com. In Subject line put: CDW Top Hand. This information is due at close of entries. All this will be listed at: cowboydressageworld.com.

Please check back often as there may be unforeseeable changes.

Schedule for Top Hand Competition

Want to see the daily highlights from the Gathering and Finals show. Tune in to: Riding Point with Dr Karl, where all the latest Gathering News is heard first! This evening report will be posted on Eitan’s Facebook page Click Here. Be sure to share with your friends…

Friday , October 12th at 6:30 p.m.

Draw to be held by office at 6:30 p.m. for order of qualifier go. Riders may be present.

If there is a conflict of drawn ride times for riders with multiple horses, then ride times will be managed by show office.

Question and Answer on Friday, October 12th 6:30 p.m. after draw for Top Hand ride times. Discussions, updates, etc. Be there!!

Photo Shoot to follow Q & A. Location TBA

Top Hand Shirts to be handed out.

Mystery Test will be handed out.

Saturday, October 13th evening – Arena 1

5:00 p.m. Dinner (tickets purchased on entry form)

6:00 p.m. Qualifying Rides Begin

One Judge will judge Qualifying Rides

Top 10 finalists to be posted an hour after final qualifying Top Hand ride

Sunday, October 14, 8:00 a.m. – Arena 1

Top 10 Riders

Top Ten Riders/Horses will be present in Arena 1 at start time.

Must be mounted and ready to compete.

Sixth –Tenth Place Riders will be announced

Sixth –Tenth Place Riders will leave arena and Top Five will stay for draw.

Draw to take place for order of go for Top Five Riders.

6th place rider/horse should be on deck in warm up arena in case of any last-second scratches.

Top Five auctioned off in a Calcutta.

Upon completion of Calcutta Bidding on Top Five Riders, rides will to begin.

Judging

The combined score of the 1st and 2nd Go (Mystery test) will determine the placings for Champion.

The previous Qualifying score is not counted in final Top Five Placings.

50% of the score is on general impression: Soft Feel, Partnership and Harmony.

50% of the score is based on technical merit.

The Top Five Riders

First Go

Top Five Horses will have time to familiarize themselves with arena during Calcutta but cannot go inside court.

Top Five Horses cannot leave the arena.

Top Five Riders can leave for bathroom break if needed – use Wrangler.

The first rider will have 2 minutes before the bell rings to warm up and then 45 seconds after the bell to enter arena at A and begin test.

Each rider thereafter will have 2 minutes to warm up once previous rider leaves arena at A. They will then have 45 seconds after the bell to enter arena at A and begin test.

Switch Go for Top 5 Top Hand Riders – Mystery Test

Upon completion of all First Go rides, wranglers will hold horses and a draw for “the switch” will take place. Wrangler will stay with horse and rider cannot mount or handle horse until 2-minute notice is given. The rider has 2 minutes to prepare on new horse and then another 45 seconds to enter arena and begin test after bell.

If there is a saddle change needed, time will be given on an as-needed basis.

Presentation of Awards – Sunday Afternoon

Upon completion of all rides, winners will be announced and Calcutta winners will be announced.

Top Ten 10-1 to be awarded

Riders do not have to be mounted during awards. Wranglers can hold horses.

Tie Breaker

In case of tie, a new mystery test will be ridden by the top two riders. This is a totally unknown test to both caller and rider. If a tie continues the Soft Feel Score will break the tie.

CALLERS

The rider is encouraged to memorize their tests. The use of a caller is not mandatory. Cowboy Dressage World allows the rider to use a caller of their choice, however, the ultimate responsibility for accurate and correct riding of the test falls upon the rider. If the rider chooses to use a caller, it is the rider’s responsibility to arrange for one.
Cowboy Dressage World will not be providing callers for riders.

AWARDS

Custom Framed Print—Top Hand Champion

Statue – Switch Horse Award

Cowboy Dressage World Top Hand Champion Buckle

Champion Ribbon

Top Hand Top 2-5 Awards

Cowboy Dressage World Top Hand Finalist Buckle

Top Hand Champion Finalist Ribbons

Top Hand 6-10 Awards

Top Hand Top Ten Ribbons

All Top Hand Participants

Each Rider will receive a Cowboy Dressage Top Hand Competitor’s Shirt. Shirt must be worn during competitions and photo ops.